Mo Gilligan was astounded to learn that an ingredient used in some fried chicken burgers is also found in silly putty and condoms. The comedian, known for his stand-up routines and TV appearances including The Masked Singer UK, explores the fried chicken industry in his new Netflix documentary, Big Chicken: A Fast-Food Conspiracy.
The film, released this week, follows the 38-year-old as he goes behind the scenes of the fried chicken phenomenon, learning about its history and global popularity. He even eats fried chicken three times a day for 28 days straight as part of the experiment.
Shocking discovery
During the documentary, Gilligan learns that some fried chicken burgers, marketed as healthier alternatives, actually contain dimethylpolysiloxane. This silicone polymer, also known as food additive E900, is used in products like shampoo and conditioner, and serves as a lubricant.
In the documentary, Gilligan says: 'I've met a lot of experts over the last couple of days. You know, one of the ingredients, they also put it in condoms for lubrication. Who knew that went into a burger? So many things go into it that are artificially engineered to give you a better experience and get you to come back for more.'
Personal challenges
Speaking to The Sun, Gilligan admitted that the idea of being paid to eat fried chicken might sound like a 'dream', but it turned out to be more like a 'nightmare'. He expressed self-consciousness about his image, especially while eating fried chicken daily, and noted that his T-shirt size went from large to extra large within days.
On Instagram, Gilligan celebrated the film's release, noting it was made by Mindhouse, the same company behind Louis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere. He wrote: 'As a Black British comedian, it was important for me to challenge the stereotypes around Black people and fried chicken, unpack where those ideas came from, and reclaim a dish that's part of a much bigger story than the one we've been told.'
He added: 'This is probably the most exposing thing I've ever done, and I can't wait for you all to see it.'
Big Chicken: A Fast-Food Conspiracy launches on Wednesday August 5 on Netflix.
